1. KISS Keep It Simple, Stupid ACT believes that good writing is clear and to the point. A good writer does not use more words when he or she can use fewer. Therefore, shorter is usually better. In fact, whenever the choice is OMIT or DELETE the underlined portion in questions which are obviously dealing with concision, you should be prejudiced towards that answer until you can prove otherwise. Begin with the shortest answer in concision questions. If you cannot find a reason not to select it, then you should choose it. A warning though, this only holds for concision questions, and then, not all of the time.

2. 2 General Rules (add these to your notes) When it’s a Concision Question: If you can, OMIT/DELETE (get rid of) something that you don’t need. If you can, replace the underlined portion with a shorter portion that means the same thing.

3. 1 The old British practice of planting yews in cemeteries did nothing in changing or altering that reputation…. F. No Change G. to alter that acquired H. in the way of changing that J. to alter that

4. 1 Omit synonyms within a sentence The old British practice of planting yews in cemeteries did nothing in changing or altering that reputation…. F. No Change G. to alter that acquired H. in the way of changing th at J. to alter that

5. 2 Tip: Look Throughout the Sentence I wasn’t prepared for the impact. A. No Change B. ready for the unexpected impact C. prepared, regarding the impact, for what happened D. expecting the impact, which I didn’t see coming

6. 2 Tip: Look Throughout the Sentence Omit redundancy I wasn’t prepared for the impact. A. No Change B. ready for the unexpected impact C. prepared, regarding the impact, for what happened D. expecting the impact, which I didn’t see coming

7. 3 Tip: Look Throughout the Sentence Voters elected the candidate that Dr. Herrick supported, choosing that person to be mayor. A. No Change B. supported and picked that person to become mayor C. supported as their choice for mayor D. supported

8. 3 Tip: Look Throughout the Sentence Omit redundancy Voters elected the candidate that Dr. Herrick supported, choosing that person to be mayor. A. No Change B. supported and picked that person to become mayor C. supported as their choice for mayor D. supported

9. 4 Tip: Don’t Add Unnecessary Words This undertaking wasn’t their dream but perhaps their dream would lead to it. F. No Change G. they would lead to that. H. would lead it to that. J. would lead to it.

10. 4 Tip-Don’t Add Unnecessary Words Omit Vague and Confusing Writing This undertaking wasn’t their dream but perhaps their dream would lead to it. F. No Change G. they would lead to that. H. would lead it to that. J. would lead to it.

11. 5 Tip: Remember the Author’s Voice He knew that he and Maya would have to apply their energies to the activity of labor for the money needed to sign a lease. A. No Change B. employ themselves vigorously to the task at hand C. work a long time D. accomplish it

12. 5 the Author’s Voice Appropriate Word or Language He knew that he and Maya would have to apply their energies to the activity of labor for the money needed to sign a lease. A. No Change B. employ themselves vigorously to the task at hand C. work a long time D. accomplish it *Ask- “Would you actually say that?”